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RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science Ion Source and Injector Team

Team Leader: Yoshihide Higurashi (D.Sc.)

Research Summary

Yoshihide Higurashi

Our team aims to enhance the performance of the RI Beam Factory (RIBF) through the comprehensive upgrading, operation, and maintenance of ion sources and the RIKEN heavy-ion linac, RILAC. LAs the most upstream component of the accelerator complex, the ion source is a critical device that determines overall performance. Currently, we operate three ECR ion sources, including two superconducting models, to ensure a stable supply of high-intensity heavy-ion beams to the RIBF. We are also engaged in research and development to achieve even higher beam intensities and greater stability. RILAC was the driving force behind the discovery of element 113, Nihonium. In recent years, with the introduction of the superconducting linear accelerator SRILAC, we have been facilitating the synthesis of new superheavy element and the development of RI production technologies for medical applications. Furthermore, our team is responsible for the maintenance and management of vacuum systems across the entire facility.

Main Research Fields

  • Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering

Related Research Fields

  • Mathematical & Physical Sciences
  • Quantum beam science-related (and related fields)

Keywords

  • ion source
  • Heavy ion beam
  • Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR)
  • Radio-frequency linear accelerator
  • High vacuum devices

Selected Publications

  • 1. T. Nishi, T. Watanabe, T. Adachi, R. Koyama, N. Sakamoto, K. Yamada, O. Kamigaito
    "Nondestructive beam envelope measurements using beam position monitors for low-beta heavy ion beams in a superconducting linear accelerator."
    Physical Review Accelerators and Beams 28.9 (2025): 092803.
  • 2. Y. Higurashi, G. Q. Saquilayan, J. Ohnishi, and T. Nagatomo
    "Producing intense uranium ion beam for Riken Ri Beam Factory,"
    J. Phys.Conf. Ser. 2743, 012051 (2024)
  • 3. Y. Higurashi, G. Q. Saquilayan, J. Ohnishi, and T. Nagatomo
    "Intense vanadium ion beam production for super-heavy element research experiments,"
    J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 2743, 012052 (2024).
  • 4. Y. Morita, T. Nagatomo, and Y. Nakashima,
    "Development of an image analysis method for pepperpot emittance monitors,"
    J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 2743, 012071 (2024).
  • 5. G. Q. Saquilayan, T. Nagatomo, Y. Higurashi, J. Ohnishi, T. Nakagawa, and O. Kamigaito
    "Beam emittance growth of highly charged ion beams from the RIKEN 28-GHz SC-ECRIS,"
    J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 2743, 012081 (2024).
  • 6. T. Nagatomo, K. Kamakura, Y. Morita, G. Q. Saquilayan, Y. Higurashi, and J. Ohnishi
    "Space-charge effects on transverse emittance in the extraction region of the RIKEN 28-GHz ECRIS,"
    J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 2743, 012082 (2024).
  • 7. Y. Morita, T. Nishi, A. Kasagi, K. Kamakura, N. Oka
    "Beam intensity prediction for ECR ion source using machine learning"
    Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Heavy Ion Accelerator Technology, East Lansing, MI, USA
  • 8. T. Nishi
    "Development of automatic beam tuning system using Bayesian optimization for high intensity heavy ion beams at RIBF,"
    The 8th International Expert Meeting on Challenging Issues of Next-generation High-intensity in-flight Separators, Wako, RIKEN, Japan, January 2025
  • 9. N. Sakamoto, H. Imao, O. Kamigaito, T. Nagatomo, T. Nishi, K. Ozeki, K. Suda, A. Uchiyama, T. Watanabe, Y. Watanabe, K. Yamada
    "5 year operation of RIKEN super-conducting linac"
    Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on RF Superconductivity, Tokyo
  • 10. M.Tamura, M. Ito, K. Kaneko, K. Oyamada, J. Suzuki, A. Yusa, Y. Higurashi, M. Fujimaki, H. Imao, M. Kidera, T. Nagatomo, T. Nishi, K. Ozeki, N. Sakamoto, K. Suda, A. Uchiyama, T. Watanabe, Y. Watanabe, K. Yamada, H. Yamauchi, O. Kamigaito
    "Present status of RILAC"
    The 22th Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan August 6 - August 8, 2025, Tokyo

Lab Members

Principal investigator

Yoshihide Higurashi
Team Leader

Core members

Yutaka Watanabe
Senior Technical Scientist
Takashi Nagatomo
Senior Technical Scientist
Takahiro Nishi
Research Scientist
Yasuyuki Morita
Research Scientist
Glynnis Mae Quinones Saquilayan
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jun-ichi Ohnishi
Research Part-time Worker I

Contact Information

205 Nishina LINAC Laboratory,
2-1 Hirosawa,
Wako, Saitama
351-0198, Japan
Email: higurasi@riken.jp

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